Welcome to Medical News Today

Healthline Media, Inc. would like to process and share personal data (e.g., mobile ad id) and data about your use of our site (e.g., content interests) with our third party partners (see a current list) using cookies and similar automatic collection tools in order to a) personalize content and/or offers on our site or other sites, b) communicate with you upon request, and/or c) for additional reasons upon notice and, when applicable, with your consent.

Healthline Media, Inc. is based in and operates this site from the United States. Any data you provide will be primarily stored and processed in the United States, pursuant to the laws of the United States, which may provide lesser privacy protections than European Economic Area countries.

By clicking “accept” below, you acknowledge and grant your consent for these activities unless and until you withdraw your consent using our rights request form. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

Please accept our privacy terms

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience, personalize content and offers, show targeted ads, analyze traffic, and better understand you. We may share your information with third-party partners for marketing purposes. To learn more and make choices about data use, visit our Advertising Policy and Privacy Policy. By clicking “Accept and Continue” below, (1) you consent to these activities unless and until you withdraw your consent using our rights request form, and (2) you consent to allow your data to be transferred, processed, and stored in the United States.

Get the MNT newsletter

Email an article

You have chosen to share the following article:

How elderberries can help you fight the flu

To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don't include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission.

We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

What to know about urethral syndrome

Urethral syndrome describes a group of symptoms that occur when the urethra becomes irritated. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

In this article, we discuss what urethral syndrome is along with its risk factors and symptoms. We also cover diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What is urethral syndrome?

Urethral syndrome can cause pain in the genitals and lower back.

Urethral syndrome, also known as urethral pain syndrome, is the term for a group of symptoms that can occur when the urethra becomes irritated.

The urethra is the thin tube of muscle that runs between the bladder and the outside of the body. In males, the urethra also carries semen from the testicles during ejaculation.

When the urethra becomes irritated, it swells up and the tube narrows, which can make it more difficult for a person to pass urine.

The symptoms of urethral syndrome are similar to those of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and urethritis, which can also affect the urethra. However, bacterial and viral infections are not the cause of urethral syndrome.

Sexual intercourse

Rough sexual activity can damage the urethra, especially in females. In these instances, the inflammation that leads to urethral syndrome is part of the natural healing process.

Other risk factors

Other risk factors for urethral syndrome can include:

having sex without a condom

having a history of STIs

bacterial infections in the bladder or kidneys

taking medications that suppress the immune system

structural problems, such as a narrow urethra

Women who have given birth to several children may also be at greater risk of urethral syndrome. Having a delivery without an episiotomy, which is when a doctor makes an incision in the tissue between the vagina and the anus, can also increase a woman's risk of developing urethral syndrome.

Diagnosis

A doctor, who is usually a specialist called a urologist or a urogynecologist, will diagnose urethral syndrome. Diagnosis can be difficult because the symptoms are often similar to those of other conditions, such as UTI, urethritis, or cystitis.

Urologists usually only diagnose a person with urethral syndrome after ruling out other possible causes.

In most cases, the urologist will request a urine sample. They will also ask the person about their symptoms, risk factors, and medical history. The urologist may also carry out a physical examination.

Treatment

A course of antibiotics can treat a UTI.

Treatment depends on the suspected cause of the condition.

For people with an STI, UTI, or other infection, a urologist may prescribe medications to treat the infection. They may recommend a course of antibiotics if the infection is bacterial.

A urologist may also prescribe medications to relieve pain and inflammation.

If the urologist suspects that the cause is an irritating soap or hygiene product, then they may recommend the person tries stopping or changing products. Further treatment may not be necessary.

Some urologists also recommend making dietary changes to help treat urethral syndrome.

In a 2002 study, researchers asked females with urethral syndrome to follow a strict diet for 12 weeks that did not allow any coffee, alcohol, or spicy foods. Of the 675 women who took part, 89 percent reported that their symptoms had completely gone by the end of the trial.

Prevention

It may not always be possible to prevent urethral syndrome. However, a person can reduce their risk of developing this condition by:

using a condom during sex

using perfume-free body washes, bubble baths, and sanitary products

limiting or reducing alcohol and caffeine intake

avoiding hot or spicy foods

Summary

Urethral syndrome refers to a group of symptoms that affect the urethra, which is the thin tube of muscle which connects the bladder to the outside of the body. These symptoms can include urination difficulties and pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Doctors do not fully understand what causes urethral syndrome. However, risk factors for urethral syndrome can include infections and irritants from certain foods and hygiene products.

Treatment of urethral syndrome often involves treatment of any underlying conditions or avoiding foods and hygiene products that can irritate the urethra.

2019 Healthline Media UK Ltd. All rights reserved. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.